NCERT Solutions for Class 12 Chemistry, Chapter 3 - ElectroChemistry

Electrochemistry is a significant chapter in the CBSE NCERT Class 12 Chemistry book. It can be broadly defined, on the energy level, the relation between Electrical Energy and Chemical Energy and the interchange between them. It is a vast domain and the class 12 NCERT Chemistry syllabus a small part of the subject. It is an interdisciplinary stream and carries five marks in the final examination.

A student properly analysing this chapter will realise that the chapter consists of the following topics:

3.1 – Electrochemical Cells

3.2 – Galvanic Cells

3.2.1 – Measurement of Electrode Potential

3.3 – Nernst Equation

3.3.1 – Equilibrium Constant from Nernst Equation

3.3.2 – Electrochemical Cell and Gibbs Energy of the Reaction

3.4 – Conductance of Electrolytic Solutions

3.4.1 – Measurement of the Conductivity of Ionic Solutions

3.5 – Electrolytic Cells and Electrolysis

3.5.1 – Products of Electrolysis

3.6 – Batteries

3.6.1 – Primary Batteries

3.6.2 – Secondary Batteries

3.7 – Fuel Cells

3.8 – Corrosion

3.1 Electrochemical Cells 

In this topic, we shall learn in detail about the Electrochemical Cell and the various types of cells that fall under this category. In short, Electrochemical cells generate a potential difference between the two ends(electrodes) using chemical reactions. It is broadly divided into two categories: The Galvanic Cell and the Electrolytic Cell.

3.2 Galvanic Cells

Galvanic Cell, also known as Voltaic Cell, are cells in which spontaneous oxidation-reduction is used to produce electrical energy. In this topic, the students shall learn about the history and working principles of the Galvanic Cells along with the procedure to calculate and measure the Electrode Potential, which is explained in a sub-topic.

3.3 Nernst Equation

Nernst Equation is an essential equation in the world of electrochemistry, and it is used to find the cell potential at any moment during a reaction or at conditions other than the normal standard state. The topic is further divided into:

  1) Equilibrium Constant from the Nernst Equation.

  2) Electrochemical Cell and Gibbs Energy of the Equation.

3.4 Conductance of Electrolytic Solutions 

Conductivity or Specific Conductance of an Electrolytic Solution is the measurement of the solution to conduct electricity.

The students shall learn in detail about resistivity, conductivity, molar conductivity of ionic solutions, differences between ionic(electrolytic) and electronic conductivity, Kohlrausch’s law. There is a subtopic:

  1) Measurement of the Conductivity of Ionic Solutions.

3.5 Electrolytic Cells and Electrolysis

Electrolytic Cell is an electrochemical cell driving a non-spontaneous reoxidation oxidation reaction through electrical energy. The process is known as Electrolysis. More details are discussed in this topic.

3.6 Batteries

The battery is a device which consists of one or more connected electrochemical cells. It is used to provide electrical power and is used to drive electrical appliances. The students shall learn about batteries and more about the two categories of batteries, as discussed in detail in the two subtopics:

 1) Primary Batteries.

 2) Secondary Batteries.

3.7 Fuel Cells 

Fuel cells use up fuel and an oxidising agent to generate a potential difference. This is used for electrical power devices. More details are discussed in this section.

3.8 Corrosion

Corrosion is often a naturally occurring phenomenon happening due to redox reactions on the outer surface of a material. It reacts due to the oxidation at the outer surfaces and leads to deterioration of the material. The agent causing the corrosion is described to be corrosive.

We shall learn in detail about the harmful effects of corrosion in this last part of the chapter.

In this chapter, you are provided with several examples along with their solutions for a clear understanding of facts and concepts. To know more about NCERT Chemistry Class 12 Exercise Questions Solutions Chapter 3, you should explore the exercises below. You can also refer to the NCERT Solutions for Class 12 Chemistry Chapter 3 PDF download – solved by teachers and experts.